I decided to combine my 38 and 39 week posts so that by next Wednesday (my due date) the updates would be current.
My life these days consists of going to work (still working full time), OB appointments and trying to get rest every night. I have been feeling pretty tired after work everyday so I just try to take it easy when I’m at home.
I still don’t feel a sense of urgency even though my due date is a week away–but I do feel anticipation, of course. I have a feeling this little girl will go into June (though if I don’t go into labor before 41 weeks I will be induced because of the aforementioned clotting issues).
Maybe I don’t feel a sense of urgency because I haven’t been making any progress at my weekly checks…but then again I’ve heard of women not being dilated at all and then going into labor the next day. Everyone is so different when it comes to their labor experience so I suppose it’s possible I’ll have the baby by my due date but I just have a feeling she will be late.
I did start packing my hospital bag with all of the essentials so I know if I went into labor I could quickly throw in a few extra items and be ready to go. Plus, we don’t live far from the hospital so my husband could always go home and get anything I needed. I’ve heard that most women over-pack for the hospital anyway so I’m trying not to pack too much since I’ll probably be in a hospital gown most of the time.
Having said that, I did pick up a few new sleep shirts from Victoria’s Secret because I have worn out my Target and F21 sleep dresses and sleep tees during my pregnancy. I was using creams and oils on my belly every night and wanted to wear-out the stuff I already had instead of wearing nicer stuff. I love the Gilligan O’Malley line from Target, but those sleep dresses fall apart after like six months of wear (this was happening with my sleep dresses before I was pregnant, so not due to pregnancy, pretty sure it’s a quality issue). They wash okay but they tend to just start looking drab and the ones with lace start to rip all over the place—I’ve already had to throw one away that I didn’t even get to wear into pregnancy.
I purchased three sleep shirts from VS—two for post-baby and one to wear at the hospital.
The third one I got is the Sleepover Cotton Sleep Tee—this one is SO soft and feels amazing on. It’s lightweight and I got this one to wear after delivery (after showering, obviously) with a nursing bra. The buttons will be convenient for breastfeeding and the soft fabric will lovely for mom and baby. Plus, it’s black… so I’m not worried about stains or anything.
How did YOU feel one week before your due date? Did your baby arrive early, right on time, or late? Please share in the comments!
How far along? 39 weeks today! Whoa.
Total weight gain/loss: I’ve gained 30 pounds so far and will probably gain a few more, who knows!
Maternity clothes? Same as last week—lots of maxi dresses and my GAP maternity skinnies with Liz Lange tanks and non-maternity loose tops and tunics. I pretty much just want to wear sweatpants everyday, but I can’t show up at work like that, haha.
Stretch marks? Still none. I’m using Belli’s Elasticity Belly Oil and Mustela double-action stretch mark cream in rotation.
Symptoms: I’m feeling tired, lots of pressure, having Braxton Hicks contractions occasionally and overall I feel uncomfortable and sometimes crampy at night. I’m ready for baby girl to make her arrival.
Sleep: I wake up a lot to pee and most nights I wake up around 3-4 a.m. and can’t get back to sleep again for an hour or so. They say it’s your body’s way of preparing you for all of those night feedings…
Best moment this week: Realizing that we will meet our baby soon and celebrating with friends at my work baby shower:
Miss Anything? Being comfortable
Movement: Some days she is partying in there and other days I feel less movement now that she’s running out of room.
Food cravings: Subway, honey nut cheerios, ice cream, fruit (I am eating tons of it lately)
Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really
Have you started to show yet: I feel huge!
Baby is a: Girl!
Belly Button in or out? Out
Wedding rings on or off? Still wearing faux bands
Happy or Moody most of the time: I feel happy and also anxious and excited to meet our baby…just overall feeling anticipation
Looking forward to: A spa/pool day with Candice to celebrate my 30th birthday! We decided to celebrate this weekend since I could go into labor by my birthday (crossing my fingers!)
Thank you for reading and for all of my pregnant readers, please feel free to check-in below as well and let me know how your pregnancy is going 🙂
Jenn says
best of luck in the next couple of weeks! what an exciting time. can't wait to hear about baby girl's arrival! http://www.twobytwomom.com
Healthy Honey says
Love the pic of Lulu on the mat! I love your disclaimer about washing it… because otherwise you would have gotten attacked for letting your dog sit on something your baby will be near. I am sure when I have a baby, the dogs will be up all over his/her stuff!! Babies+Dogs cuddling together = sweetest thing ever!
Love that maternity pic in the mint dress. 🙂
Sarah Ring says
You look beautiful! And you will LOVE having those sleep shirts for the hospital, I had the black one and it's so soft and cozy. Also, you won't get as messy in the hospital as you'd think. Spit up and such doesn't really begin until you're home! Best of luck on your delivery, can't wait to see pictures of your princess 🙂
Emily says
You look radiant in your maternity photos! Love your mint dress too!
Baby Girl will love that lamb mat…my son has the dog one, and it's sooo soft and snuggly. He has tummy time on it frequently! I wish they made those mats in adult sizes 🙂
Best of luck in your last week or so of pregnancy…I was almost a full week late with my son, and I was just so impatient and anxious to get the show on the road once my due date came and went. I hope you get to meet your little girl right around the time she's due!
Kristen says
i can't believe we're at the end of our pregnancies already! it's been so fun following along with you and I hope your little girl comes before the end of May so you can still get your May baby! So excited for you!
Katie {Miss Dixie} says
I can't believe its almost here! A few things I was happy I had with me at the hospital (other than the given necessities): your own towel- it will feel amazing to take a shower and dry off with your own soft towel!; a robe- if you are a robe person like me its nice to tie on especially if visitors come in the room; and makeup wipes- for when you don't want to get out of bed at night or in the morning because you are so tired and theres a sweet sleeping baby on your lap! xo
Lulu Soler says
Your maternity pictures are gorgeouss. I never did any because I was huge & not a pretty pregger person. I went to 38 weeks with my twins (they were very large and I'm very small). Looking back I knew I was going to have them on the day I did. I was SO uncomfortable – more so than any other time. My water broke at 1 am. All the best to you!
xo Lulu
simplylulustyle.com
Nicole says
Ah, you're so close! I had my daughter a day before her due date… I actually thought I would have her on/before the due date, but everyone kept telling me the first one is always late. Not true for everyone! Oh, and I love how you needed to disclose that you will be washing the pillow Lulu is on… don't worry, my daughter literally sticks her sippy's in our dog's mouth and she has never been sick. I got over that whole thing pretty fast (but yes, I do wash it if I see her do it).
Abby B says
Wow, One week away! I remember before the birth of my first feeling like you..surreal and wondering exactly how life would change. Walking (alot) helped get things going and my son came 2 days early! What great sleep shirts! I didn't really use anything I took to the hospital except maybe my shampoo, blowdryer and minimal makeup (I had to stay for 3 days) . Love that sweet lamby pillow!
Whitney H says
I can't believe it's gone so fast! It seems like you just announced your pregnancy. I can't wait to "meet" your little girl!
Britt D says
Can't wait to see the nursery and hear about when she is finally here!
Tasteful Texan
natasha {schue love} says
You're SOOO close! I cannot wait to hear the good word!! XO
Vee says
A week before my due date (April 21st), I was so excited, nervous and scared! I couldn't believe in one week I was going to meet my little girl. Of course I went a week past and had my baby on April 30th at 41 weeks. I was induced on the morning of April 29th and delivered the morning of April 30th. I love the sleeps shirts you picked out, they look super comfy. They're important because I pretty much have been living in night shirts and gowns the last few weeks at home!
barcadichasers says
You look very beautiful and considering all the work and effort and not at least all the thought you´ve put into becoming a mom you´ll be a great one at that. you´´re a big role model for me!
bacardichaser.blogspot.com
Gina Howie says
Best wishes to you and your family. I have been following along throughout your pregnancy when I stumbled upon a video you made talking about lululemon clothes (my favorite go-to work out wear). I think it was an old video but it led me to your blog. Really enjoying your journey.
You will love the Nespresso. It is great.
Enjoy these last moments of being pregnant. Soon you will meet your little one! So exciting!
Kristen says
My first was born 1 day before her EDD. I swear I was in labor for 3 days though. My second was on her due date, super duper fast (my doc didn't even make it), after a failed induction 3 days earlier due to GD. It's definitely true that every pregnancy is different.
Good luck! You are so close to holding your little girl!
PS, DD1 had/still has that same lamb rug. DD2 has it also, but a giraffe.
Alex {Bump to Baby} says
This brings back recent memories to me, it's such an exciting time waiting for your first baby to arrive. It feels like you're waiting forever but then when they're here it feels like it just flew by! Best of luck with everything.
Alex
Bump to Baby
allourgooddays says
all best wishes for your baby's arrival. I had cramping for about 2 weeks… prodomal contractions started the day after my due date at 9 am (every 15 minutes, then pauses for an hour or two…). they became more regular around 6 pm, but i was still comfortable enough. i went to bed around midnight, but an hour later i was up because it hurt my back to lie down. In the living room I watched tv and sat on my exercise ball. We went to the hospital at about 4.30 am. The midwife insisted i wasn't in active labour til she examined me. All down to hypnobirthing. Labour was good. it's nothing unnatural or that you can handle. it was slow til she broke my water completely at 2.30pm… my daughter was born at 4.52pm. In those 2 hours i completely released myself to what was happening, like the meditations I had done during my pregnancy. I hope you have a birthing experience as good as mine was!
Debbie O says
You look amazing!!! all the best with the birth!! i am currently at my half way stage and cant wait to find out what i am having then to meet my baby!! i am nervous and excited at the same time
Rebecca @ Thats So Pearl says
Your maternity photos are gorgeous! I bet you are so excited to meet your little girl! I never made it to 39 weeks. I went exactly 2 weeks early, which was a suprise. I never got checked during my pregnancy so I don't know if I progressed slowly or overnight!
Good idea on buying the cute night dresses! Regardless of what anyone says, you will feel better if you are clean and dressed cute, even if you are wearing PJs and lounging around the house with your new baby! 🙂
Becca says
At my 39 week appointment I was only dilated 1cm and was not experiencing any contractions. My doctor said if I made it to my 40th week appointment we would need to schedule an induction so that I gave birth before the 42 week mark. I lamented all week about my "lazy uterus" and mentally prepared myself for induction. 39w6d I woke up at 12:30 am for my usual pee, and my water broke! Contractions started at 2am and my son was born at 11:30am…. this was my first pregnancy so I was prepared for a long labor! So, I am the perfect example that you don't need much time for that baby to get moving!! I hope you have a smooth and joyful birth experience! Enjoy these last days as much as you can, because it will get crazy with a newborn! 😉
Sam says
How have I never seen those VS sleepshirts?! They look great! And you're right – there's something about sleeping in new fresh pj's. Good luck this week 🙂
https://theworldfrommystilettos.blogspot.ca/
Diana says
So close to meeting your little one – How exciting! And you look wonderful.
My son was born at 36 weeks, so we obviously never made it to even a week before his due date. The week leading up to giving birth, though, I felt awful. I'd had regular BH contractions for weeks prior, and lots of low pressure. I was actually woken up one night by the BH and thought that I was going into labor. One day I just felt really terrible – a lot of intense pressure and long, uncomfortable BH. I got sick randomly and vomited, went to bed early, and the next morning I woke up to pee and my water broke. I was totally expecting hours of contractions before they were just so far apart that I'd get the OK that I was in active labor and could head to the hospital, but instead I had no "real" contractions and my water just broke on its own. My mom told me after the fact that the vomiting would've been a sure sign that labor was near, so I guess that's just what happens for some women.
Tristan Paige {at} Sunshine! says
I can't wait for baby girl to make her arrival! It sounds like you are very prepared and ready to have her! Oh, and Lulu on that stuffed animal is so cute!! Enjoy these last few days as just you and your hubby!!
Sarah Johnson says
Hi, Veronika! My daughter, Stella, was born in 2011, ten days after her due date. I was induced at 9 days past due, and she was born the following afternoon. I was very antsy and uncomfortable that last week before her birth.
I am 15 weeks pregnant with our second baby.
I hope everything goes well for you!
Swissy says
Looking very pretty! After the baby's born you'll look at those pictures and you'll almost have forgotten what it was like having a big belly 😉
My baby boy was late and they nduced me after 40 weeks and 7 days! I didn't have any contractions at all before that. I was so anxious and I just couln't stand the waiting anymore. It was almost frustrating. People were asking me every day if the baby was on its way. Argh….
I hope your girl will be here on time. Good luck with giving birth and I can't wait to see a picture of your baby girl. I'm sure she'll be very cute.
Oh and btw. I love Nespresso coffee!
Kortnee says
Yay it's so close! You look beautiful in your maternity pics! Is it weird to be so excited for someone you've never actually met ?!
Sophia says
Your photos are beautiful! Mine was born 4 weeks early and I didn't even have a hospital bag packed yet. Everything goes so quickly though. I'm looking forward to "meeting" your little precious girl. I wish you an easy and safe delivery.
Amy says
You look great! I also have about 3 weeks left too and my doctor asked if I wanted to be induced before then, I told her I'd like to after my due date. Those VS sleep shirts are such a great idea, I tried some on at Target last week and the VS ones are so much better! I hope the last few weeks go well for you!
Ellie says
I feel ya girl, I feel ya! Oh man we're both so close to our due dates and I'm getting a liiiil bit nervous for you too! 😛 But then, I pray that God will help you through the process and let you heal up quickly. You can do it!
You're right in that every birth and pregnancy is different, and I think it's interesting that you think your baby might come later. I feel like mine might come earlier because she's so packed in there and I'm only 5'1"!!! Haha. Do you think that makes a difference, though? And btw–those shirts look so nice and cozy~
[email protected] says
@ellie— I am not sure if size makes a difference or not…I guess I just feel she will be late because I am not really making progress so I don't feel like she will be here soon (even though everyone says that you can go from 0-60 in a short amount of time, progress wise).
good luck with your L&D
Cat says
Oh let the dog have that one! she is your first baby and it will be
her space when in the baby room with you, she will feel part of the
pack and less threatened. You can get another for the baby and she
will learn when u tell her off and leave the baby's to the baby. She
will be a little stressed initially with the sounds and smells and
having her own spot to observe and feel safe with you all is the best
gift you can give her. Two girls now 25 and 28 and a pookie dog like
LULU we had plus two other dogs who joined our pack when she died and
trust me it will work beautifully if u include her in this way. She
will go there when u r changing, feeding, etc. Good Luck and I hope
LuLu and you all have a seamless transition to welcoming your baby
girl.
meli1077 says
You're so close!! That's so exciting.
I went into labor early with my son. I went to my 38 week OB appointment and was not dilated at all. I left the appointment feeling so defeated. I was so uncomfortable (I am only 4'11" and it was estimated that my son would be over 8lbs if I went to 40 weeks). Two days later, I was sitting on my couch watching Grey's Anatomy. When it was over, I waddled myself into bed. A few minutes later, I felt like a wet my pants. Little did I know, it was my water that broke. I had my son the next afternoon at 38w4d. He weighed in at 7lb7oz
Plak Lastin says
I am a mother of 4 and honest diapers always worked for my kids. You just go with what works for your child. I also have noticed that they work differently for different ages as well. Good idea to try a few out before you buy the jumbo packs.
honest diapers
Karina says
Congrats Veronika! Love your daughter's name. She is precious.
Melissa says
If you're breastfeeding, I wouldn't recommend drinking much coffee until the baby is 6 months or older. Newborns have a hard time passing the caffeine through their systems, so it stays in them for a long period of time….which also makes it difficult for them to sleep; and, thus, difficult for you to sleep.
Paige says
Veronika, your daughter is absolutely gorgeous! But how could she not be, with a mother like you! And her name is just lovely. xoxo
Christine says
At one week til my due date I felt like nothing was going on…I was right, my LO was 11 days late! When he was born he measured to be 40 weeks, though, so who knows if he was really late, or perfectly on time. I had my son at home with a midwife, and she wasn't in any rush. Good luck with BFing…it was a little rough in the beginning but it is truly the most amazing experience. My LO is 15 months and still going strong. Invest in some nursing camis, I lived in them for the first few months. I bought some nursing bras (I bought them with underwires because I couldn't imagine not having a wire), and they lead to really painful clogged ducts, so I haven't worn one since. Now I still only pretty much wear camis (from Express). They're so easy to just pull down when it's time to feed, and you can throw a jacket/sweater whatever overtop easily.
Good luck and enjoy every moment!!
Sarah S. says
OMG LOL I got that VS sleep shirt from my hubby for Christmas 🙂 Congrats! I had my little girl 3 days after Christmas 12/28/12 and she's the biggest joy in my already blessed life. I'm sure your little girl will be for you <3
Justi Buck says
I am about 5 weeks out from having our first little girl! I was wondering what size you ordered in the VS sleeping shirts??